Crops are faced with several definite environmental stresses either concurrently or at different periods during their entire growth and productivity season. Combinational occurrence of stresses and pollution such as salinity stress and crude oil pollution is destructive to crop growth and productivity than these stresses occurring separately at different crop growth. This research was aimed at showing different stress combinations (salinity stress and crude oil pollution) and their impact on ...
ABSTRACT Investigations were conducted with four pot and two field experiments on the influence of vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM), and fertilization on chili pepper, Capsicum annuum var. tatase (Yoruba) in different cropping systems. All experiments were factorial in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and each treatment was replicated three times. The first two pot experiments carried out in the Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Ibadan under natural solar il...
Abstract The genus Ganoderma Karst. (1881) is the largest and most complex genus of polypore fungi, characterized by the presence of pores instead of the gills on the lower side of the fruiting body. The colonisation of Ganoderma species on trees is noticed by the appearance of their cap shaped, hard, crusty and shiny fruiting bodies. Ganoderma extract have been used for centuries in Asia’s traditional medicine and to date Ganoderma mushrooms are an important source of modern medicinal and ...
Abstract: Edible insects are now globally recognisedas alternative sources of food and feed. Currently, over 470 spp of insects are consumed in Africa alone, with Ruspolia differensbeing the most common in central Uganda.Harvesting and trading of these insects is done informally andthe post-harvest handling, processingand marketing involvesseveral people. These coupled with other factors increase the risk of microbial contamination of R. differens. This study identifiedand characterisedbacte...
Abstract: Background: Tsetse fly-borne trypanosomiasis remains a significant problem in Africa despite years of interventions and research. The need for new strategies to control and possibly eliminate trypanosomiasis cannot be over-emphasized. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) infect their hosts through the cuticle and proliferate within the body of the host causing death in about 3–14 days depending on the concentration. During the infection process, EPF can reduce blood feeding abilities in ...
Abstract: Fresh fruits are essential components of the human diet and there is considerable evidence of the health and nutritional benefits associated with the consumption of fresh fruits. However, during processing contamination from raw materials, equipment or food handlers could be easily transferred to the final product of fruit juices resulting food-borne illnesses. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the microbiological safety of avocado, mango and papaya fruit juices a...
Abstract: ommon mullein, also known as Wooly Mullein (Verbascum thapsus L., Scrophulariaceae) has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. The aim of the present study was to investigate qualitative screening of major phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.) root, leaf and fruit methanolic extracts. The qualitative analyses of major phytochemicals were tested for tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, termenoids and alkaloi...
Abstract: Nanomaterials have been used recently in food packaging as antibacterial coatings because of their desirable antibacterial and antifungal properties. The use of antimicrobial packaging is to deter the growth of microorganisms responsible for spoilage or diseases in packaged foods, therefore prolonging their shelf life. In this study, potato peel starch and ZnO-starch nanocomposite paper (ZnO-starch NC paper) were developed and evaluated for antibacterial activity against Esche...
Abstract: The woodwasp Sirex noctilio is one of the most serious invasive pests of Pinus plantations in the southern hemisphere. Extensive control programs have been developed to manage this pest, of which biological control has been a major component. This thesis examined the factors that could influence the control of S. noctilio in South Africa. A critical comparison of S. noctilio infestations and control efforts throughout the southern hemisphere revealed that control has not been unifo...
Abstract/Overview Background: Herbal medicines are used widely for primary health care in Kenya among rural populations where modern medicines are not affordable. The flowers, roots, stems and leaves of Senna didymobotrya have both antifungal and antibacterial activity. Decoctions or infusion are used to treat skin diseases, diarrhoea, malaria, venereal diseases and stomach problems. Methods: Plants were collected from farmers' fields in western Kenya. Stem bark, root bark, leaves, flower...
Abstract Surface water concentrations of inorganic nutrients and suspended particulate matter (SPM) components were examined and compared between Mtwapa and Shirazi creeks in Kenya. This was aimed at assesing the ecological situation of the two creeks and determine the influence of sewage discharge. The results obtained were further compared with those from Ramisi, an estuarine system. Mtwapa recorded higher nutrient, chlorophyll a and phytoplankton carbon concentrations than Shirazi. The two...
Abstract: Surface water concentrations of inorganic nutrients and suspended particulate matter (SPM) components were examined and compared between Mtwapa and Shirazi creeks in Kenya. This was aimed at assesing the ecological situation of the two creeks and determine the influence of sewage discharge. The results obtained were further compared with those from Ramisi, an estuarine system. Mtwapa recorded higher nutrient, chlorophyll a and phytoplankton carbon concentrations than Shirazi. The t...
Abstract: The virulence of eight isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae and four isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) to adult Cylas puncticollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was tested in the laboratory. Insects were sprayed with a standard concentration of 1.0 107 conidia mL21 using Burgerjon’s spray tower. All the isolates tested were pathogenic to C. puncticollis. Mortality varied between 77.5% and 84.2% with isolates of B. bassiana and between 62.5% and 89.2% with isola...
ABSTRACT The presences of pathogenic microorganism in ice cream such as Salmonella Species, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli have been well documented, but examination of pathogenic bacteria like Bacillus cereus Yersinia enterocolitica, Brucella species and E.coli O157:H7 have been rarely studied. These studies indicated the necessity for a more steady microbial examination of ice cream since ice cream is particularly consumed by children of vulnerable age groups. Ice...
ABSTRACT A study was conducted into the traditional method of storing maize in Ghana to determine the best form of storing maize to minimise losses in storage and to evaluate the effectiveness of using insecticides in crib storage. Two separate experiments were conducted, one with maize variety Abrotia and the other with maize variety La Posta. In each experiment, a split-plot design was used with the main plot factor being insecticide application and the subplot factor being husking. Actell...